The start of the Lithuania-Slovenia match was marked by the lack of defense of both teams. We feel that we are in a simple classification match, where the stakes are lower. Not to mention that Slovenia played the day before against Canada. There is a lot of rhythm and baskets. Luka Doncic quickly begins his festival, despite the lost balls, but Slovenia does not even do the minimum in defense.
Lithuania takes advantage of this with Jonas Valanciunas, who is doing his job inside, and shooters who are enjoying themselves with a 5/6 at 3-pts. There are already twelve points difference after a quarter. The Dallas star continues to wear his own and the gap stabilizes around ten points. Lithuania finally missed winning shots, before regaining address in the last seconds of the first half (53-43).
As Mike Tobey strikes again from behind the arc, the Slovenians come back in the first moments of the third quarter. But bad choices from Doncic and company, plus free throws from Valanciunas, made it possible to recreate the ten-point gap in a very long and choppy third quarter.
The Baltic derby for 5th place
Solid, Lithuania drives the point home at the start of the last act. Jonas Valanciunas confirms his excellent game (24 points, 12 rebounds), has fun in the opposing defense and we go to a twenty point gap. Doncic (29 points to 7 of 21 on shots) and his teammates are no longer there, the end of the match has no interest and the defeat is heavy (100-84). One more…
We therefore know the posters for the day of Saturday. Lithuania will challenge Latvia, after their victory against Italy, for 5th place in this World Cup. The Slovenians will face the Italians for the 7th.
Video summary and stats to come
